New Zealand and Sri Lanka will face each other in the 27th game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 at the SCG on Saturday (Oct 29, 1:30 PM IST). Both teams have played two games each in the Super 12 so far.
New Zealand hunted down the defending champion Australia in the first game by 89 runs, while their second game got abandoned due to rain. They are currently standing at the top of the Super 12 points table, with 3 points to their tally.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka started their campaign with a 9-wicket win over Ireland and then lost to Australia in the second game. They are standing next to New Zealand on the Super 12 points table, with 2 points to their tally.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 19 T20I matches so far. Out of these 19 games, New Zealand has won 10 whereas Sri Lanka has come out victorious on 8 occasions. Another great contest is anticipated between these two teams here.
Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson are good at turning it on is known, but don’t sleep on Mitchell Santner, who has put up some impressive stats this year. Against Australia, he took 3 for 31 bowling inside the powerplay, and then through the middle overs. In T20Is this year, he has 17 wickets from 12 games, with an economy rate of 6.69.
It’s not often that Wanindu Hasaranga gets taken apart, but he clearly was in the last match, going for 0 for 53 from his three overs, as he kept trying to toss the ball up and get Australia’s batters caught in Perth’s big outfield, but failed repeatedly. Perth’s bouncier pitch didn’t quite suit his bowling but Sydney, where Sri Lanka’s spinners have done well in the past, may suit him nicely. It’s rare that he has two bad games in a row.
Weather Report:
The temperature is expected to hover around 22°C on the matchday with 35% humidity and 23 km/hr wind speed. There are no chances of precipitation during the game.
Pitch Report:
The Sydney Cricket Ground surface often gives batters a reasonable chance to score some quick runs. The pitch does not have much assistance for the pacers early on, but the spinners may fancy their chances during the middle overs here. Chasing would be an ideal option for winning the toss at this surface.
Probable XIs:
New Zealand: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson ©, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka ©, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando
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